Operations Planning Process

This is the most visible execution process and often has the most attention during planning and delivery cycles.  However, despite the attention, it remains prone to common process gaps.

• It is inaccurately assumed that all members of the team are crystal clear on their respective goals, accountabilities, and activities. When employees are surveyed 90% do not know what they are expected to deliver!   Are you satisfied your company is doing things very differently from other companies, so your situation is different?
• Syncing delivery between functions needs to be built into the operations process. The obvious area of syncing is that the supply function needs to understand and prepare for the ranges in the possible demand forecast, however, there is a broader requirement to ensure that all the major strategies and objectives of the organization be fully aligned.  When priorities are confusing or there is senior manager misalignment, it inevitably leads to failure and politics.
• Finally, contingency and scenario planning will pay dividends as it will minimise the risk and delay from dealing with the inevitable arising or surprise events that will negatively impact your assumptions.